Feral #1 Review

By Nolan P Smith
Editor

Image Comics launched a miniseries called Strays a few years ago, which was an instant hit. The cartoon artistic style and the very mature-themed story were the perfect storm for fans, myself included. Now, in 2024, the creators of Strays are back with Feral, a series that focuses on a group of feline friends in Peru.

From Tony Fleecs, Tone Rodriguez, and Trish Forstner, this first issue follows Elsie, Lord Fluffy Britches, and Patch, a trio of cats that get taken out of their element and away from their home as they are picked up by animal control. But when the vehicle jackknifes, eliminating the humans and leaving all the cats to fend for themselves, the three try to find their way back home, a journey that puts them against rabies riddled wildlife out for blood.

Fleecs once again crafts a tale that is one part animated feature and two parts mature horror. I love the energy of this script and how it takes us into this very dangerous and foreign world to our protagonists. The artwork is outstanding, giving off old-school Disney vibes while retaining its modern touches. I am blown away by the artwork—from the link work to the coloring to the well-designed lettering, everything here screams quality.

Feral #1 takes on a path of trials and tribulations, as Homeward Bound meets The Walking Dead. I loved the first issue and the massive cliffhanger it leaves us with. Pick this one up before it becomes hard to find, like Strays.

Rating: FIVE Pastrami Nations out of FIVE